One solution to Seattle’s fentanyl crisis We are in the depths of a drug crisis. Twelve thousand people and counting have died from overdoses this year in King County. There’s one solution the Seattle area hasn’t adopted, even though it has a track record of saving lives and other benefits: Safe consumption sites. Seattle Times reporter Greg Kim tells us about these sites and the locals trying to open them here. Clare McGrane Patricia Murphy Play AudioListen 16 mins
Seattle Public Schools wins nearly $2 million in vaping lawsuit Four years ago, Seattle Public Schools joined districts across the state and country to sue JUUL Labs and other vaping companies. Sami West
In 2023 fentanyl overdoses ravaged the U.S. and fueled a new culture war fight Fentanyl fueled unprecedented carnage with 112,000 fatal overdoses. The nation is increasingly divided over how to respond. Brian Mann Martha Bebinger Aneri Pattani - Kaiser Health News Play AudioListen 8 mins
How Portugal eased its opioid epidemic, while U.S. drug deaths skyrocketed Portugal cut drug deaths by 80%, using free health care and addiction treatment. The U.S., meanwhile, focused on drug busts and tough crime laws. Overdose deaths keep rising catastrophically. Brian Mann
Blinken warns deadly fentanyl crisis will spread globally Secretary of State Anthony Blinken says the U.S. is "a canary in the coal mine" as deadly synthetic street drugs spread. Brian Mann
Seattle will soon have a place for people to go after surviving an overdose Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced millions in funding Thursday to create a post-overdose recovery center that will provide a space for people to stabilize following a non-fatal overdose. Kate Walters
Fatal drug overdoses declining slightly in King County after 2023 surge Officials in King County say after a bleak year of increased drug overdoses in 2023, they are starting to see signs of hope. At the county’s fourth annual conference on substance use Thursday, officials said fatal drug overdoses are trending down slightly in 2024. Amy Radil
Despite opioid epidemic, drug court enrollment is down. King County hopes to change that King County’s Drug Diversion Court is celebrating its 30th anniversary. It was one of the first programs in the nation to help people clear their criminal records, if they enter treatment and stop using drugs. But amidst the opioid epidemic, drug court enrollment has actually shrunk in recent years. Amy Radil Play AudioListen 5 mins
Mayor Harrell wants to triple Seattle's spending on opioid treatment Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has unveiled his public health priorities for the 2025 budget. He proposes tripling the amount of money the city is spending on opioid treatment: from $5.33 million to $14.57 million. Eilís O'Neill
The grim reason fentanyl deaths are falling in King County Fatal fentanyl overdoses may have reached a peak in Washington state. But that's not all good news. Ann Dornfeld
